Art meets fashion
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Sunday August 7, 2022 06:00
The idea is the brainchild of two talented creatives, Ronald ‘Ron De Artist’ Kegomoditswe who is visual artist and fashion designer Future Marufu otherwise known as Tamsil.
The duo collaborated to mount an exhibition dubbed Gifted, which will be meant to expose their products to the world. The event is slated for November 26,2022.
In an interview, award-winning Kegomoditswe said they will use the platform to showcase their works to the world.
“Visual artist allows you to present what you do in its fullest context. It’s your chance for your work to make a clear, cohesive statement, and for you to make a clear statement about your work.
It is the single most important event in any working artist’s calendar. At this exhibition I will be showcasing my paintings,15 to 20 paintings,” Kegomoditswe told Arts & Culture.
He stated that Marufu will be showcasing her designs.
“I will also paint and customize some of the clothes he designed because we want everything to blend,” he added.
Kegomoditswe explained that he has been friends with Marufu for 10 years now, after studying Art as a subject back at Selebi-Phikwe Senior School (SPSS).
He said during that time, they were both amongst the best top five students in the whole school.
He said the exhibition has always been on the pipeline and could have been held after they completed their Form 5, however things did not go according to plan as they went separate directions.
When Marufu went to the University of Botswana to further her studies, Kegomoditswe stated he chose to stick to Art and later became a full time Artist.
“So, with this exhibition we wanted to collaborate and do something on our own when we were doing Form 5. At one point in school during our school days, we went for an Art fair at Orapa where I scooped position one in painting while Tamsil took position one in drawing. So, we decided to finally make that happen after so many years because at least now we can afford to sponsor our own dreams,” he added.
Kegomoditswe said the main objective of exhibition will be to show people the power of strategic collaboration as well as blur the line between art and fashion.
He explained that preparations are already in full swing and that they have already started working on a few concepts. He said they are still working on the issue of the venue, which he believes will be sorted out soon.
The talented painter has appealed for sponsorships, as they are currently self-funding the exhibition.
“Those who are coming to attend the exhibition should expect something they have never seen before. I'm excited and I also feel challenged because I'm exhibiting with a very close friend of mine, someone whom I truly trust. Her work ethic and intentions match mine. We are both equally invested in this,” he explained.
A prolific contemporary drawing and painting artist, Kegomoditswe is informed by his immediate environment, with concepts that reflect social, cultural and traditional narratives. His paintings range from commissioned portraits to mural works. He has participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions such as The Genesis, 20:19, Maitemogelo which he staged with Prince Tom, MOTLHALA and KOBO.